14:40 Ascot

Friday 22 November 2024

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

LK Bennett Autumn Collection Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 3m 41.97s

Aurigny Mill¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford| OR: 135| D

5/1

Took his form up a level for his new yard (formerly with Victor Dartnall) when a most impressive winner of 7-runner handicap hurdle at Newbury (2m) 15 days ago. Up 7 lb but he's a player.

Form: 1104-P1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Gin Coco^t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 135| CD

10/1

Took this 12 months ago and teed himself up well for a repeat off the back of a wind op when a good second of 7 in 2m handicap at Chepstow 42 days ago. Very much one to consider.

Form: 5104-02

Spirit D'aunou²²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 133| D

20/1

Scored at Sandown last December and signed off with a solid fifth of 19 in handicap hurdle at Aintree (20f) in April. Possibilities off a 2 lb lower mark for his return.

Form: 1/41005-

Williethebuilder²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

10/1

Has advanced his form this term after breathing surgery, scoring at Wetherby (2m) 20 days ago by 1/2 length from Alnilam. Can progress further so must enter calculations.

Form: 4506-21

Aucunrisque²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 129| D

9/1

Betfair Hurdle winner in 2023. Largely disappointing since but not disgraced when third in 2m handicaps at Plumpton and Cheltenham this autumn. Needs to build on it.

Form: P067-33

Alnilam^h²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 127| D

11/1

A fair winner on the Flat who has improved for his current yard, hooded when an excellent 1/2 length second to Williethebuilder at Wetherby 20 days ago. Enjoys a 3 lb pull with that rival so can go well again.

Form: 4171-92

Break My Soul²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 126| D

13/8

Fetched £290,000 after landing Irish point and scored twice over hurdles last spring at Chepstow/Fontwell. Upped her form a level when second of 10 in handicap over C&D on her return and not taken lightly here despite a 4 lb rise.

Form: 3231-12

Afadil^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125| D

9/1

Landed a Musselburgh handicap last February and followed that with a series of creditable efforts in good-quality handicaps. yet to hit top form this term but not disgraced when fourth over C&D 20 days ago. Should be sharper now.

Form: 534-084

Mirabad¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R Newland| OR: 120| D

9/1

Fairly useful on Flat in France and he has scored twice over hurdles for his current handler, easily bagging 2m Hereford novice 18 days ago. This is much tougher but no forlorn hope on his handicap debut.

Form: 41-221

Non-Runners

Perseus Way²³⁶

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: Christian Williams J: Nick Scholfield

Forecasts

Break My Soul (13/8), Aurigny Mill (5/1), Aucunrisque (9/1), Mirabad (9/1), Afadil (9/1), Gin Coco (10/1), Williethebuilder (10/1), Alnilam (11/1), Spirit D'aunou (20/1), Perseus Way (33/1)

Lots with chances but AURIGNY MILL impressed greatly when going in at Newbury recently for his new stable and edges the vote from Nicky Henderson's progressive mare Break My Soul. Wetherby-scorer Williethebuilder, the handily-weighted Afadil and last year's victor Gin Coco are others well worthy of consideration in a highly competitive event.